Roland AIRA TR-8 Rhythm Performer Demo - Sweetwater Sound

[@precarious333]

We need a tutorial on that wig.

[@BrandonRyan]

I can assure you that's my hair. :-/ Not everyone is bald by 40. :-)

[@precarious333]

Brandon Ryan Haha! Sorry, dude. Didn't mean to troll you. I think the juxtaposition from the color up top to the natural beard is drawing everyone's attention. I am envious of your hair but I'm glad I started shaving my head!

[@BrandonRyan]

precarious333 Haha - no worries. Yeah the beard is getting grey...no doubt. Keep threatening to dye the beard red, or blue, or something crazy but my wife threatens to divorce me. :-) Gotta keep making those adjustments as we get older I guess. Take care!

[@benmorales9246]

😂😂😂

[@ikesquared]

Gots ta have an 808 cowbell on the machine. Period! Glad it's in there! I own the TR-808 and she's been wrapped in plastic in the studio since 1997. Awaiting my TR8 as I type this.

[@ikesquared]

The TR808 cowbell is iconic in certain genres of music. Since I own the TR8 (which I bought from Jason Koons at Sweetwater) I use it as needed. The machine is amazing and light years ahead of my original TR808.

[@maccagrabme]

Wouldn't Tr809 be a better name?

[@atkearns]

TR-1717 (808+909)

[@Jazzybreaks]

Thank you Roland and Korg for keeping hardware instruments alive...

[@BrandonRyan]

You're welcome. :-)

[@AiMR]

808 and 909 sounds are great, but any other sounds or way to import your own?

[@exiletomars]

No cowbell?

[@JJ9715]

I think Brandon would look cool with some leather pants to go with the hair. As far as the 808 is concerned, my favorite sound is the cowbell. Very iconic.

[@djktron]

is this thing worth it? I have been using my Electribe for 10 years and am wondering if this is nice. Can you get crazy sounds out of it, or is it all 4 on the floor?

[@CrankyPills]

Instrument select of the BD in this vid shows 4 options, mine shows just 3: 808, 909, 808 modded. What's up with that?

[@mrmarplemusic]

hey guy, thx for this cool video! i decided to buy one instead of spending 300 € more for the tr8s, especially because i own a 404sx and that includes all sounds by linking - thanks roland for the new update! but what i dislike most is the chaining patterns function which means, i always have to sort the patterns i want to play. wouldnt it be great to hold down the patterns i want to chain? perhaps there is a workaround i dont know? thx in advance..

[@aikighost]

Can you apply the reverb & delay per step to the external inputs? So say to an old analog synth with no FX?

[@RothmanHarv]

I think so

[@BrandonRyan]

No, only the Side Chain comp and Scatter can be applied to external inputs.

[@theionisbob]

can you make trap, james blake style post-dub or run the jewels style drums with this?? if not, how would one go about it?

[@monogramadikt5971]

can these be used as midi controllers ?

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

Yes

[@MrPainseeker]

THIS is the way to come back!

[@maxcohen13]

Can I add my own prerecorded sounds and manipulate them with this machine?

[@umbe2k1]

no you need the tr8s

[@brianboyer6801]

Does the TR-8S have the modified kick drum sound with the longer decay as well?

[@sweetwater]

Hello! Jose from Sweetwater, here. Great question! The TR-8S would have all of the same features as the TR-8, plus the additional expanded I/O and sound banks that come with it. I'd love to speak with you more on the details, so feel free to give me a shout at my contact information below. Thanks for the interest! Jose Gonzalez, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1786, [e-mail]

[@ikesquared]

@Benjamin I whole heatedly agree!

[@SoulFlask]

Can anyone tell me if when you save a pattern if your parameters are saved? ie - the reverb, tone etc?

[@djhobbbz]

If you don't move the knobs, then they are "saved" everything stays put. 1:1 control, unlike software.

[@BrandonRyan]

DJ hobbbz Correct. Parameters are not saved but instead reflect the physical state of the knobs.

[@dvamateur]

Roland has made some beautiful pieces of gear over the years: TR-808, R-8, TR-8 (do we sense a pattern?) D-50, U-220, S-770, A-80, A-50, JD-800, XV-88, need I say more? Amongs all the bad and sad things happening in this world, I am happy that Roland is still in business. The TR-8 is very impressive when it comes to its sound modelling. Interesting that organ-add-on rhythm machines sounds became hip so long ago. I mean, the TR-808 type of sound originated in pre CR-78, more of Korg Minipops types of organ add-on machines. Why not reissue a Bontempi organ? :) But I digress. I am glad seeing Roland in business, and I want kids to buy the TR-8 and FA-series, so that Roland stays alive. Personally, the garishness of the TR-8 looks will most likely be a deal breaker to me. Don't get me wrong, I recently bought Integra-7 and a gorgeous red FR-1x mini accordion, so I am contributing to the company financially myself. My point is, the TR-8 is not geared towards my generation.

[@mindcontro]

great demo and hair!

[@pacewade]

nice maschine... is it possible to control ableton-drumracks with this maschine?

[@thejhambi]

He said that it will send and recieve MIDI, so you should be able to.

[@williamblackwelder739]

I love the sounds of the 808/909. I can't afford them so this is a great alternative! My only qualm with the unit is the look. I really wish Roland would have gone with a more vintage look. To me it looks like a crappy Akai controller; but hey, all that matters is the sound. :)

[@seantrice4269]

Yeah i feel you too but for me the green lighting style they could have done with out maybe blue or red but overall i think its a great tool to wk with i needs one

[@SorchaSublime]

@@seantrice4269 it would have been cool if it was RGB so you could control what colour it was

[@neurosentience5150]

How the hell do you know what kit you’re using?

[@SorchaSublime]

you can tell by ear

[@kingofallwhites]

Hey Brandon, do you think that or have you heard that Roland might bring back the CR-78?

[@BrandonRyan]

Can't say for sure but I hope those sounds make it back somehow.

[@els1f]

does it require usb connection to a computer to assign the assignable outputs?

[@RegulareoldNorseBoy]

I can see the usb from here dude :-p look at the pic

[@els1f]

ImTheFlyWhiteGuy I realize it has a usb port. :) I was just asking if you can assign what goes out the two extra outs from the front panel, or if it requires a computer.

[@BrandonRyan]

Good question. It does not require a computer to assign the outputs. You can turn in on in a mode where holding down "A" or "B" will quickly let you assign any instrument to those respective outputs by just pushing its select button.

[@johnk6312]

Brandon Ryan brandon. how do you pattern chain to make songs?they dont seem to have a song mode.cheers!

[@dvamateur]

What about CR-78 souns for In the Air Tonight?

[@SPAZZOID100]

Buy cr-78

[@dvamateur]

James Reeno I got the R-8 with nearly all the cards. CR-78 sounds are on the Dance card. In the Air Tonight sounds fantastic on the R-8. Thank you very much.

[@SPAZZOID100]

I have the R8mk2. Good cr-78 sounds. Why would u need them on tr-8?

[@dvamateur]

Because Roland analog drum sounds collection is incomplete with only TR-808/TR-909. TR-78 sounds are very unique and quite frankly essential to have in one's drum sounds arsenal. You can probably do away without Korg Minipops sounds, but sinice TR-8 is a Roland drum machine whose purpose is to accurately emulate analog drum sounds, the CR-78 modelling omission is a big one, at least to me, personally. Maybe Roland will release CR-78 plug-out for TR-8. I think they might.

[@illslime9419]

Do you need a computer to use it ?

[@punishedsquid2397]

You can use this without a daw though, correct?

[@sweetwater]

Yes, indeed! It can operate as a standalone device, or as an audio interface straight into your DAW. If you get a chance, it'd be cool to hear about your current system, and help you find the right gear for your needs. Give me a call when you can! Thanks so much for your interest, Brandt Miller, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1628, [e-mail]

[@AUTENT1K]

A simple question: Is it digital or analog?

[@inf0tr8r]

analigital

[@zapantalambda]

i like this one.

[@iwillnevergetone5]

is the TR-8 capable of producing acoustic drum sounds?

[@eardumbuzz6052]

No. It doesn't.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Huh??

[@Meteotrance]

Darrien Day in fact the could they just released some plug out to load on the hardware to have some other Oldschool roland sampler drum machine like TR-707 or TR-727 massively used in Acid house in the mid 80"s and 90"s

[@slipperman6770]

I can feel it coming " In The Air " tonight,Oh Lord...Oh Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Voxboy876]

Did he play for the Flock of Beagles.

[@raymcpherson6772]

I have one of these and ....it's a nice toy. Roland failed to bring the TR808 into the modern age. No automation? The new Korg EMX automates every part of the sound but the TR8 stands on its 808 cloning. And that's it. Poor old Roland, all that history and they choose to ignore it where Korg embrace it. Come on Roland - give us what we want. Give us a TR808, give us a Jupiter 8. It's not difficult. Oh Roland. All that history and no future.

[@CoreyScott]

Richard Easter man, I couldn't disagree more. I've played on 808s and 909s and really love this box in comparison. In fact, what I've been saying about the TR-8 is that it does precisely what you say it didn't and brought the classic drum machines into the modern age. Easier to see what you're doing when you're sequencing on the fly, changing drum sounds, etc. because of the color coding, USB support, better MIDI clock, and most importantly the faders make performance so much more fun than twisting little knobs. This thing gives me all the things I love about the classic boxes it emulates, but gives me so many more things I love. And maybe it's just me, but I don't miss automation. It would be nice to be able to string patterns together, but otherwise when I want a ton of automating I prefer to do it in a DAW anyway, and recording/automating these guys is a snap with any software. But the bottom line is that these things are built for performance like nothing I've found in their price range. Certainly not attacking you or your opinion, just really extremely happy with my purchase of this thing.

[@raymcpherson6772]

Yeah, I get you. I'm being a snob, like all gear heads "if it's not analog, it's not authentic" - I am an idiot. The TR8, as you say is not the 808 and comparing them is stupid. You have put me into context. And price is astounding. I love the TB3, for example, which is better than a 303, in different ways......

[@CoreyScott]

Richard Easter I hear what you're saying for sure. I totally get analog fetishism, I've just tried to tear myself away from it if there's something else that is better suited for what I'm trying to accomplish. I also try to recognize what will sound good enough to anyone listening. For example, if people can't see into the booth, I'm thoroughly convinced nobody will ever come up and tell me my drum machine didn't sound as good if it would have if it were analog. They may, however, be more likely to tell me they enjoyed my set, if I can do more with a TR8 than a TR-808 or 909. All that said, this thing isn't perfect. For example, with no song mode, the inability to to quickly extend a pattern to two bars by copying from A to B is a glaring omission. Roland says "this is a performance instrument. Use a DAW if you want to compose track with it." I'm ok with that, but if I can't make a loop longer and add variation to the second bar on the fly, how can I take advantage of the A/B pattern feature without preprograming the machine so A and B are similar to begin with? There are a handful of small gotchas like this, but overall I think this is the best $500 somebody can spend to get started with live dance music performance.

[@raymcpherson6772]

Aha, yes, you see, you're using it in the way it's supposed to be used - in performance as a DJ, right? I can see exactly how useful it would be on the fly in the right hands. In studio, not so helpful, but then again, as you say, the "real" 808 has even less functionality! Oh, how I wish I didn't care about these things and had a life.....!

[@CoreyScott]

Richard Easter Not sure if you use Ableton, but these links might help you get some better use out of the TR-8 in the studio: www.rolandus.com/support/knowledge_base/201920279 www.maxforlive.com/library/device/2247/roland-aira-tr-8-drum-rack-and-remote

[@piggdsbest333]

and seriously that scatter effetc is really meeh

[@Defenseman61913]

so is your comment

[@quasarulas3968]

i want to love it but it feels a little tacky, cheap? i've just been spoiled with in daw vsts and treated samples that the whole thing seems a bit lacking :/

[@michaelbauers8800]

There's a nasty sound when turning the knobs I would not have expected. It's cutting off abruptly. Oh well, it's not a major issue, just annoying

[@Whiten0izesuperstar]

is this MATTHEW PA-TEL?!

[@opwave79]

Somehow I like this better than the TR-08

[@garniak]

That price.

[@6262323]

It's the mc 303 beats,same thing again.

[@eardumbuzz6052]

The MC 303 beats?????? What?

[@6262323]

Eardum Buzz Yes Roland MC 303.Sound generator with 24 note - voice polyphony.8-track sequencer.448 preset sounds and 12 drum kits (includes the Roland CR-78, TR-808, TR-606 & TR-909).Reverb/delay and chorus/flanger effects.300 onboard dance music variation patterns such as drumbeats and basslines.the Roland MC-303 is a rompler which contains sounds largely drawn from classic Roland synths and drum machines such as the TB-303, TR-808 and TR-909 along with the Juno series and various other dance themed sounds such as pads, pianos, strings and vinyl scratches. The sounds can be manipulated with a low-pass filter, various modulation capabilities and some simple DSP effects.

[@6262323]

***** The Roland MC-303 is a rompler which contains sounds largely drawn from classic Roland synths and drum machines such as the TB-303, TR-808 and TR-909 along with the Juno series and various other dance themed sounds such as pads, pianos, strings and vinyl scratches. The sounds can be manipulated with a low-pass filter, various modulation capabilities and some simple DSP effects.No i think your a little lost on this one.

[@eardumbuzz6052]

So I hear that this sounds better than the originals (808 909 CR78, etc.) it reproduces. I don't quite "get" that idea. The analog originals are fantastic and if it stays true to their sound, er, how would it sound "better?" Maybe I'm just "off..."

[@ikesquared]

WHERE IS THE COWBELL?! I don't need this if the 808 cowbell isn't available. I can get my TR808 fixed and let them keep this mimic.

[@benbooth32]

I don't how Roland had the balls to "re-issue" their legendary 808 and 909 without including this fucking 808 cowbell. If I want to use 808 sounds well I definitely need that cowbell. fail roland, fail

[@BrandonRyan]

Benjamin Turro The cowbell is in there. Rest easy now.

[@alisterjohnson1003]

Seriously guys? haha. The cowbell is NOT the main reason people use the 808, at least I hope it isn't. I am curious to check this out, seems better suited for me to use live than studio (seeing as I have an original TR-808 in my studio). The features look amazing!

[@SPAZZOID100]

How often would u actually use that cowbell??

[@studio4942]

This would have been great say about, oh, 15 years ago. Seriously, everything this thing does can be done in your basic DAW or soft synth. And then some. But I can't be mad as there has already been such a decline in hardware sales I’d hate to see hardware instruments die altogether. Plus DJs still use hardware instruments at their gigs.

[@vaspers]

I appreciate this demo, but wow-- this sounds really lame compared to the MFB Tanzbar Drum Computer. Hate to say this because I'm a big fan of Roland and I own the fantastic V Synth, the JD-Xi and the AIRA VT-3 Voice Transformer.

[@Guitarist888]

Who’s mall goth dad is this?

[@arechfer]

his hair...thanks

[@sauceboss1888]

nice hair dude lmao

[@hexrohexro]

that hair... doesn't look right

[@piggdsbest333]

I found the tb3 and the vt3 very nice but I can't see why this one would interrest anyone. 500$ for that is a waste of money ? What else can you do with this thing ? All demos showing off the tr8 sounds weak and bad imo. but the tb3, vt3 and the synth are really cool.

[@benbooth32]

Where's the cowbell ? Roland, you think you can get away without talking about the cowbell, and how you forgot to include it ? COME ON

[@BrandonRyan]

Cowbell is in there.

[@BrandonRyan]

***** Haha true...will remember that def creator

[@dahnic69]

Add a Sampler! Make it a Sampler!

[@NautilusGoth]

DaHnic IgBig they already do that, check the 2017 Sp 404 A

[@benzvi2707]

He looks like DJ Nu Mark but with hair...

[@quasarulas3968]

that self oscillating 808 kick is the bane of my existence, really gives the unit a bad name :/

[@innerpull]

if this thing wasnt so ugly and lights everywhere i might get one

[@gabriel4838]

You cant write songs with it?? like 8 measures of a song, then a turn around then back to the 8 measures. Its for rappers it sounds like not songwriters. Not useful for songwriters.

[@christianaugustin7047]

It's not made for song writers. It's not the point of this machine.

[@Scorpion573]

I never say this, but this is genuinely the worst demo I have ever seen.

[@rainbowdeep9234]

This thing makes every crappy sound except a decent drum kit.

[@BitterrootRambler]

+rainbowdeep thats what drum kits are for.

[@michaelbauers8800]

+rainbowdeep It was not designed to emulate real drums. So not sure why this comment. Do you complain when a cheap car doesn't keep up with a 400 HP corvette? It does what it was designed to do.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Way overpriced. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison, but to me Maschine MK3 just blows this away.

[@drake1011]

well its $299 now

[@HrafnNordhri]

too much talking.. I just want to hear the damn thing.